SUN PRAIRIE RISING

Search for replacement Superintendent ongoing

by Andy Schoenherr
Editor, Sun Prairie Rising

One legal matter in the Sun Prairie Area School District has come to a close, while another is just getting started. Earlier this month, a judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing the District of violating open meetings laws, bringing a legal challenge from a local parent to a close for now. Meanwhile, on March 9th, former Sun Prairie West Principal Jennifer Ploeger pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanor counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect.

Justin Smith filed a lawsuit last August, arguing that the Sun Prairie School Board and Superintendent Brad Saron failed to address staff misconduct concerns and improperly conducted district business behind closed doors. The complaint sought a restraining order and a judicial declaration that the board violated Wisconsin’s open meetings law.

The lawsuit was filed in the wake of scrutiny of the district’s activities after the arrest of former Sun Prairie West High School dean Robert Gilkey-Meiseger on child pornography charges. A criminal complaint alleges some staff members were aware of accusations against him months before law enforcement opened its investigation.

Following the charges, several staff members were placed on leave and Sun Prairie West principal Jennifer Ploeger was removed from her position.

In her first court appearance since being accused of failing to report child abuse, Ploeger pled not guilty and a $500 signature bond was set, meaning she will be required to pay that amount if she misses a court hearing or fails to follow bond conditions.

The conditions do not permit her to contact anyone in the Sun Prairie Area School District and she cannot have contact any of the child victims listed in the criminal complaint.

Gilkey-Meisegeier was indicted on federal charges of child pornography possesion and exploitation, and pleaded guilty in federal court on February 6th.

After a series of closed-session meetings addressing the allegations, Smith alleged the board routinely discussed major issues in private without providing the level of detail required in meeting notices or demonstrating a specific need to exclude the public. Smith’s complaint also alleged the district failed to act despite questions about Gilkey-Meisegeier’s qualifications. Online records indicate he did not hold an educator’s or administrator’s license.

Court records show a judge dismissed the claims against the Sun Prairie Area School District Board of Education and Saron, ruling the complaint did not present a claim eligible for legal relief.

Although the case was dismissed, Smith has the option to refile the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, the district is moving forward with a search for a new superintendent to replace Saron, who announced in December that he would be leaving Sun Prairie to take the same role with the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, which he previously led from 2013-2015. Saron will remain in his position through the end of the 2025-26 school year and begin his term with Chippewa Falls on July 1, 2026.

The school board launched the search process for candidates at its January 26, 2026 meeting, where members began reviewing proposals from various search firms. The Board has since partnered with Hazard, Young, and Attea (HYA), a national consulting firm, and plans to select the next superintendent by April 30, 2026. District leaders say community involvement will be a central part of the selection process.

Nearly 1,300 people completed an online survey about the district’s priorities. Additional engagement sessions are planned in the coming weeks, including more than 50 focus groups—over half of which are scheduled specifically for families and community members.

More information on the Superintendent Search can be found on the district’s website here:
https://www.sunprairieschools.org/district/superintendent-search